Katamori Damacy February 20, 2012

Track Listing

1. NGC1976
2. Katamari on the Stage (feat. Shigeru Matsuzaki)
3. Rehabilitation
4. Alien (feat. BAKUBAKU DOKIN)
5. Don’t Give Up
6. Katamari on the Funk (Takeshi Nakatsuka edit)
7. Katamari Exotica
8. Lonely Rolling Star (Re-Arranged by Masahiko Osaka)
9. Katamari on the Rocks (Re-Arranged by Masahiko Osaka)
10. Cosmomule Cosmopolitan
11. Shabadoobie (Takeshi Nakatsuka edit)
12. Katamari of Love (SEXY-SYNTHESIZER Remix)
13. Hello World
14. Katamari LOVEMIN
15. 2011′s Sky and Music (feat. Asako Toki)
16. Across the Katamari (feat. Kazuhiro Momo from MO’SOME TONEBENDER)

1. NGC1976

Kicking off the OST, I didn’t expect it to begin with such oddness with the introduction I’m guessing?  I mean it’s chaotic with the weird strings melody and high-pitched tones like it was from Earthbound or something.  After the creepy start, the melody does begin and it sounds like a waltz which is nice and pleasant as opposed to the beginning.  Weird…

2. Katamari on the Stage (feat. Shigeru Matsuzaki)

Shigeru Matsuzaki isn’t a strange to the Katamari series because he’s sung a couple other tracks the most popular would be “Katamari on the Swing” from the sequel.  That being said, they do sound similar to one another but this one doesn’t stand out as much because the other song had a big punch while this one is more there and soothing.  I will say that Shigeru’s gritty vocals sound good and I did enjoy it at the end of it all.

3. Rehabilitation

Next song kind of has this experimental vibe with weird synths and a robotic voice that repeats ~katamari~ which I guess makes sense there’d be songs like that but it felt so one-sided until the synth melody (which is a crescending line) begins.  It’s short, but I kind of felt like this was a useless track to have on here amongst the songs.

4. Alien (feat. BAKUBAKU DOKIN)

As a rather new duo (debuted in December), I was surprised I haven’t heard of them because they’re produced by DJ Fumiya of course so it didn’t really occur to me they existed.  They do sound like a techno/club version of YuiKaori because they have high-pitched vocals but they also have this weirdness that caught me off guard.  It’s kind of basic in the arrangement but it’s kind of catchy (especially that chorus where they blend together nicely).  I liked this!

5. Don’t Give Up

In my opinion, this sounds like world music like the map of things to do in the game because it has this upbeat but relaxing kind of dance style going which is kind of nice.  There are lyrics but they’re covered up by filters and I couldn’t tell what it was but right after the first time they say something, the track gains momentum and gets a steady dance beat thrown in making it more cooler.  I actually really liked this remix for sure.

6. Katamari on the Funk (Takeshi Nakatsuka edit)

I’m happy the new version of Katamari on the Funk from the PSP Katamari got a shorter version and a new sound for it because it was too long for me in the game.  It’s still got the funk going on and the vocals are the same but the arrangement has traded the natural instruments for synthesizers which is a nice tradeoff if you ask me.  It’s a fun remix and I think I prefer it to the original ^^

7. Katamari Exotica

Well, I was imagining what exotic would mean to the producers but this is kind of like how odd “Blue Orb” was.  It’s kind a lot of knick-knacks found here and the arrangement doesn’t exactly have a stable enough melody to hold it high, but the sounds that are there have this rather night-life-ish tone to it.  The melody does come in after a while and I’m like why does this sound like…Fluidity???  Iono, it’s nice and out of left field IMO.

8. Lonely Rolling Star (Re-Arranged by Masahiko Osaka)

The next two are tracks that were originally from the original Katamari Damacy, the first was my favorite song from the original and I was so happy to see that it got jazzed up majorly.  Replacing the uber cuteness with trumpets/saxes/and trombones is a great idea.  However, the thing that was lacking is that there’s no lyrics (the lyrical melody is done by the trumpet).  It’s nice and refreshing but I think the singing should’ve been there too IMO but maybe not with Saki (the singer of the original).

9. Katamari on the Rocks (Re-Arranged by Masahiko Osaka)

Well, I mean the original was pretty random as it is, so I wondered how the jazzed up version was going to end up like.  It isn’t as oddball and strange like the original but you can tell it’s that song just by the core melody which has been heard in other songs so I’m wondering if they could’ve just skipped on which version they were naming it after lol.  It’s nice but both these jazz tracks don’t live up the either original’s unique sound…

10. Cosmomule Cosmopolitan

Continuing with the jazzier side of things, Cosmomule Cosmopolitan at least adds some additional synthetic clicking and sounds to coincide with the brass-led melody.  It’s interesting but it sounds like it would be from Katamari Suteki Damacy.  I don’t think it’s very memorable at least to me but it has spice where the last two tracks really were calmer songs.

11. Shabadoobie (Takeshi Nakatsuka edit)

Another song that’s covered from the PSP Katamari, I can’t believe Nakatsuka decided to remix Shabadoobie since there’s just a lot of scatting and no real lyrics.  The new version is better still because there’s more going on in the music and everything felt better handled this time.  Good!

12. Katamari of Love (SEXY-SYNTHESIZER Remix)

Oh my, SEXY-SYNTHESIZER returns with a new remix again.  Once again, they’re covering a song that Shigeru Matsuzaki sung so the vocals are similar to the last remix they’ve done in “Katamari on the Swing”.  Now it’s really hard to tell that anything new is present besides the new melody.  SEXY-SYNTHESIZER are still using their Namco sounds which might be tiresome and unoriginal but it still sounds cool for the most part, but their first remix they’ve done is still so much better.

13. Hello World

I was waiting for the next amazing track like “Lonely Rolling Star”, “Everlasting Love” and “Guru Guru Gravity” and it seems that Hello World took over that role pretty easily.  Beyond the vocals which are set into vocoder, it’s not bad and I don’t mind it because it actually worked with the dance style found here.  It’s definitely my favorite on the OST! 

14. Katamari LOVEMIN

To me, Katamari LOVEMIN at first reminded me of “Katamari Exotica” because of the slower tempo and weird instrumentation.  It’s a bit more cuter than I thought it’d be and there’s no lyrics like the previous song so that’s a bummer.  It’s nice and light but I don’t think it should’ve been placed so far back as it was…I don’t know I felt like this is more of a song better suited towards the start rather the end.

15. 2011′s Sky and Music (feat. Asako Toki)

The singer is someone I’ve heard of but never listened to primarily but Asako has nice, light vocals.  It almost kind of seems out of place actually because of the straightforwardness of the song and how natural it sounds compared to the other songs on the OST, it’s almost uncharacteristic almost but I guess in a way works because the Katamari music has always been so random and just unexpected twist and turns.  I liked it and overall she has nice vocals.

16. Across the Katamari (feat. Kazuhiro Momo from MO’SOME TONEBENDER)

Closing the OST out, Across the Katamari is light as well and has a slight march sound.  It does sound like it’s the closing theme but isn’t as memorable as the last song.  Kazuhiro doesn’t sound all bad and his voice also fits the calm nature.  Still, I can’t help but think it’s just a little boring but it’s alright I guess.

Tracks Recommended

• Hello World
• Katamari on the Funk (Takeshi Nakatsuka edit)
• Alien (feat. BAKUBAKU DOKIN)
• Don’t Give Up
• 2011′s Sky and Music (feat. Asako Toki)

Song of Avoidance

• Rehabilitation

 

As it’s the sixth OST representing the Katamari series, I was actually pleased with this release and brought back the good stuff that made the first two OSTs so good.  There are some meh ones but mostly it’s all good stuff here.  I will say it isn’t as spazzy and the reuse of a lot of old tracks is kind of disappointing since the last release was like 80% old songs being touched up…Still not bad!

Katamari Takeshi CD 2 August 29, 2009

Track Listing

1. Katamari on the Funk (Senor Coconut’s “Katamambo!” remix)
2. A Crimson Rose and a Gin Tonic (YMCK 8bit Mix)
3. Everlasting Love + You
4. The Royal Academy of Katamari (Kimitaka Matsumae Remix)
5. Everlasting Love (atom™ remix)
6. Sayonara Rolling Star (Yuri’s Mixx)
7. Katamari Spirit
8. Katamari Dancing All Night
9. The Moon and the Prince (and LEOPALDON MIX)
10. Mushroom Parade
11. Do Re Mi Katamari Do (-rh rehabilitation re-arrange-)
12. Katamari on the Swing (SEXY-SYNTHESIZER ALL ABOUT namco Mix)
13. Robotic Vision
14. Cosmic Message
15. Be Gorgeous
16. Nana-nan Damacy (Hardfloor Remix)
17. Nana-nan Damacy (Hardfloor Alternative-Remix)
18. Last Chaotic Ambience

1. Katamari on the Funk (Senor Coconut’s “Katamambo!” remix)

Now onto the energetic side of the OST, we start off with a latin track.  Mixing the horns and funkyness from the original and then give a mambo spin was a nice touch.  I love the brass here as it’s loud and in your face.  I mean there’s even another sax solo of all things and it’s great.  Even though there’s no sight of lyrical sense till the halfway point, it’s rather shortlived but exciting. 

2. A Crimson Rose and a Gin Tonic (YMCK 8bit Mix)

Whenever YMCK is involved in remixing a song, they really get giddy with the music like they did with Ayu’s “Days”.  They took the original lounge style and mixed in their 8bit style and it oddly works in this case especially with Midori singing in place.  Of all the songs though, I didn’t expect YMCK choosing this song and I’m glad they did because it’s just as catchy as their other works for sure.  Sweet rearrangement.

3. Everlasting Love + You

It’s quite cool that this song is a mashup between “You are Smart” & “Everlasting Love”.  It’s an odd combination, but then you get to who’s singing this cover and it’s Leah Dizon…I’m also noticing that the song is also in English which the original didn’t have at all.  Even though she doesn’t have the energy Saki Kabata (the original singer) had, it’s not all that bad.  It’s just lacking the punch the original had. 

4. The Royal Academy of Katamari (Kimitaka Mashimae Remix)

I remember this track being so new and different in the original game.  I love how this instrumental tune was given many synth upgrades, but while it did it lost the orchestral feel which might not be a big loss to listeners.  I have to say though, it would’ve been better if there was lyrics to go with the song.

5. Everlasting Love (atom™ remix)

We get another one?  I can’t complain since Everlasting Love is my favorite Katamari tune out there.  The remix though kind of messes with the original tune just a tad too much for my liking.  Once Saki passes through the verses the bridge sounds ethereal and odd as well, it’s a odd way to do the song, but I’m more used to the original, but I like the effort on the remix.

6. Sayonara Rolling Star (Yuri’s Mixx)

I do remember that Sayonara Rolling Star was an answer track to “Lonely Rolling Star”.  I haven’t heard the original yet to really make an assumption, but this track is quite nice.  The disco sound this track has is quite nice and I love the piano melody that’s going on as well.  Ok, it’s a pretty solid track.

7. Katamari Spirit

Returning to the more 8bit style, Katamari Spirit does have this edgy feel to it even though it’s an instrumental tune.  It’s pretty catchy nonetheless, but I feel like lyrics would’ve been a nicer addition as well.

8. Katamari Dancing All Night

Finally we get to something that interests me right from the start, Katamari Dancing All Night has this 80′s New Wave feel to it and with the heavy use of vocoder and synths all over the song definitely fits this side of the OST completely.  Right now, this song is one of my favorites because it is so different and catchy.

9. The Moon and the Prince (and LEOPALDON MIX)

The Moon and the Prince gets reworked and in the way it’s given a pretty hard dance beat that sounds really good.  The original was pretty boring because of the guy speaking the lyrics rather than singing about it.  Same problem occurs here, but the guy who’s doing this is a lot more interesting and sounds more like rapping which fits moreso than the original’s way. 

10. Mushroom Parade

Our next instrumental track, Mushroom Parade sounds like royalty with it’s harpischord filled melody and the way the synth was working it’s way around the song.  I’m not too fond otherwise of the tune since it is rather short. 

11. Do Re Mi Katamari Do (-rh rehabilitation re-arrange-)

Appearing originall on the 3rd OST, Do Re Mi Katamari Do was originally a slow, ethereal tune, but the rearranged version this time around is a little more interesting since it begins with a cutesy sound that carried throughout.  It isn’t as ethereal as the original, but it’s bouncy and quite cute and changes it’s forms quite a bit.  Nice tune though.

12. Katamari on the Swing (SEXY-SYNTHESIZER ALL ABOUT namco Mix)

Instead of the powerful brass opening of the original, we get a burst of 8bit sounds acting as the loud opening.  Actually, besides the BKGD vocals from the original returning, the song is actually covered by so much 8bit sounds and some coming from “Galaga” and ”Pac-Man” and those older namco games, this song is nostalgia central and I love it and then mixing it with one of the funnest songs of the series, Katamari on the Swing is great!

13. Robotic Vision

Continuing on with the 8bit sounds, Robotic Vision comes in and is pretty short as well…Sadly the problem is that this little tune drags it self along on this slow-tempoed ride.  Could be the worst instrumental of the OST completely.

14. Cosmic Message

Even right from the start, Cosmic Message sounded completely better.  It does have a stronger electro sound and while it does play the “Katamari on the Swing” melody a few times, it got the job done, but c’mon this was a serious tease because as a full song this would’ve been epic.

15. Be Gorgeous

A bit longer than the previous two, Be Gorgeous comes up next and has lyrics somewhat, though they are just stock vocals.  The arrangement is almost like the last one where it has an electro sound to it, but it’s a little lighter.  Though majority of the song is instrumental, there’s nothing too much that can be said.

16. Nana-nan Damacy (Hardfloor Remix)

Of course they would remix the melody that pretty much the series is fond of.  It’s 9 minutes of the ~na-na’s~ which could be damn repetitive for a remix like this and that’s how it doesn’t work for me.  I do like the dance beat, but there’s just not enough depth to the song to make it worthwhile.

17. Nana-nan Damacy (Hardfloor Alternative-Remix)

Being at 8 minute, the alternate remix is more or less like it’s counterpart beforehand.  Give or take a few small differences in the song, but it’s relatively the same track just given minor changers.  It’s still just as repetitive and boring.

18. Last Chaotic Ambience

Ending off the 2nd disc, Chaotic Ambience was originally off the 3rd OST and while that track didn’t have much going on, the new version doesn’t exactly make it stand out more or less.  It does have a freaky dark glow to it and the warbling of the sounds were interesting, but this isn’t exactly musical. 

Tracks Recommended

• Katamari on the Swing (SEXY-SYNTHESIZER ALL ABOUT namco Mix)
• Katamari Dancing All Night
• A Crimson Rose and a Gin Tonic (YMCK 8bit Mix)
• Everlasting Love + You
• Do Re Mi Katamari Do (-rh rehabilitation re-arrange-)

The second disc did start out very strongly with some nice rearrangements of previous tracks, but as the disc moved on the songs kind of became a little boring when compared to the originals…maybe I’m liking the first disc a lot more than this then….It was more energetic, but there’s been ALOT better energetic tracks before this.

The OST itself was a nice “Tribute” to the series as it is for the game that brought back stages and other things from before.  It would’ve been nice if they added new tracks and did a little more from “Katamari Suteki Damacy”.  Still nice OST, could’ve done more but it’s nice.

Katamari Takeshi CD 1

Track Listing

1. Katamari on the Rhodes
2. Katamari on the Wings
3. Katamaresort Song
4. Bluffing Spirit (Refreshed by GUIRO)
5. Katamari on the Rocks (5cm Prince Remix)
6. MONOCHROME
7. Galactic S-O-U-L
8. Campus DAYDREAMER
9. Scorching Savannah
10. Houston (Re-arranged by KIRINJI)
11. Cherry Blossom Color Season (fanfare mix)
12. Lonely Rolling No More
13. You are Smart (RAAGINIA SOFT MIX)
14. Cosmos
15. SHADOW AND LIGHT
16. Green Village
17. Fuga #9998
18. Fuga #9999

1. Katamari on the Rhodes

I’ll say that beginning the first CD of the OST, Katamari on the Rhodes does introduce us into the soundtrack pretty well.  Though I can’t help but think the song is something I heard on Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, especially with how the arrangement is put out here.  It’s a nice opening at least right?

2. Katamari on the Wings

Another Katamari on the ____?  Anyways they brought the lead singer from Sukima Switch to get things going here and the song itself is a cover of “Katamari on the Swing” (nice play Namco).  Anyways the song feels a bit more like 80′s with the use of brass and bass.  It’s funny that the song did lose its excitement along the way, but if this was released as a single from Sukima Switch I’d listen to it since this song is quite nice and c’mon there’s a sax solo here, you can’t go wrong there.

3. Katamaresort Song

I’m pretty sure this is a rearrangement of Katamaresort from the PSP Katamari.  I’m noticing so far that the songs have a rather calm and peaceful sound to it.  Saigenji is the lead vocalist here and his voice oddly reminds me of Yuusama’s, being all deep and stuff.  It’s an interesting mix of lounge, pop, and somewhat house but albeit really really light.  I do though enjoy this song though.

4. Bluffing Spirit (Refreshed by GUIRO)

I do remember this track from the last OST I reviewed and Bluffing Spirit wasn’t at the top because of the odd vocalist.  This time GUIRO did his magic on the song and even though it lost the flute parts, it’s replaced by keyboard and xylophone which is great.  I like this guy’s voice a bit more than the originals and the acoustic sound is quite cool actually.

5. Katamari on the Rocks (8cm Prince Remix)

~Now here’s my plan~ Oh, this song is the oddest track I’ve come across so far on this OST.  Now the original was wild, but this one took a bit longer to get things happening (of course it’s a remix).  The guy is rapping himself along when lyrics finally show up, but it’s odd sounding and then ~Nananan Katamari~ phrase comes in, but it’s not all that well…nahhhh.

6. MONOCHROME

A rather short track, MONOCHROME is oddly cute and plays off the “Katamari on the Rocks” melody a little bit and this clicky sound is happening in the background like a movie is playing.  Like I said, 40 seconds of this track, so it’s nothing too much to gather upon, but it’s a nice interlude.

7. Galactic S-O-U-L

I’m actually not sure which song this is based off of…unless it’s something from “Katamari Suteki Damacy” because I haven’t heard that OST much yet.  Galactic S-O-U-L has a louder overall sound than the previous before it and it’s got it’s fair share of synths and odd vocals (which is the first female vocal track).  Then again seeing Buffalo Daughter again interested me with this track (They collaborated with Ami Suzuki for “O.K. Funky God”).  I can totally hear the similarities between the songs.

8. Campus DAYDREAMER

Campus DAYDREAMER comes up next and has a pretty interesting marching style and continues to show the series use of odd styles and this would be one of those times that makes me go WTF.  I love the overuse of brass and then it’s lead to this synth melody that’s like….Mario Kart?!?  I don’t know but this instrumental is funny.

9. Scorching Savannah

I guess that instrumental does lead itself quite nicely into Scorching Savannah which is based off of the “Sunbaked Savannah” though it sounds more like another “Katamari on the Rocks” cover, the sad thing is that the original was more intuitive because various animal noises are absent here.  Oh, the song is actually played by the Horikoshi High School Band and gives the first disc a more vivid look at how different these songs are.

10. Houston (Re-Arranged by KIRINJI)

Yep, KIRINJI has rearranged the awesome water-logged song from the 2nd game and though it lost that water effect and the use of crazy synth, Houston isn’t the same.  (KIRINJI also worked with Ami on “Soremo Kitto Shiawase”).  It does have that style from them which is relaxed acoustic pop.  No vocoder though did hurt the song though because the lead doesn’t do a great job singing it…

11. Cherry Blossom Color Season (fanfare mix)

Oh no, I remember this track very well and the kids in the song destroyed my liking towards it.  Now since this is a remix, CBCS did get the acoustic touch with some brass (hence the fanfare).  I do love the fact that it isn’t fully flooded with tone-deaf kids, but the singer is like a hop step better.  They should’ve gotten someone else to have done it or something.

12. Lonely Rolling No More

Hey, Yuusama redid Lonely Rolling Star?  Natsukohan is the female singer and Yuusama is the guy and they sang the song together which is good.  The only thing that scared me is that the song’s arrangement is now more chill and laidback and lost it’s uppity-cute poppyness.  I don’t know why but this kind of flew over my head, I mean seriously a song with Yuusama not being well????? oh no.

13. You are Smart (RAAGINIA SOFT MIX)

Dang!  An almost 10 minute mix of You are Smart.  I mean take an already monotonous tune from the original game and stretch that long and you basically get that.  Yeah the music is different, containing sax and all that, there’s nothing really much to say.  OHHH, there’s no vocals here as well…What a meh track.

14. Cosmos

I want to say it’s a reworking of “Big Cosmos Salon” from the last game, but I can’t be totally sure about that.  Anyways, it’s the closest thing on here that sounds like something holiday-like.  Then again, hearing jingle bells and a lot of ~la’s~ doesn’t help much either.  Besides that, it’s short so that’s good.

15. SHADOW AND LIGHT

Another track I don’t know the melody is based off of, but SHADOW AND LIGHT is oddly enough a ballad.  It’s kind of weird to see an actual ballad here and now.  Shigeru Matsuzagi provides vocals here and while he sounds like an older guy, he can actually sing pretty well and holds notes a pretty long time.  It’s rather a simple little track amongst the others and stands out quite nicely.

16. Green Village

Green Village is also a nice surprise since it does sound like BGM music, I mean not the vocal tracks, but I mean like otherwise.  It’s got your fair share of 8-bit sounds and yet it sounds rather refreshing like another “Tron the Grasslands”.  I wonder if this is the game’s Collection tune.  I actually think it’s good music.

17. Fuga #9998

Based on the other fugues of the series, the first one is rather interesting.  Instead of the odd lyrics, this has a more interesting baroque sound and with the pipe organ backing it up and making it sound happier, I kind of enjoyed it and just flows smoothly.

18. Fuga #9999

This fugue though has lyrics, but it’s so computerized that it’s hard to figure what the voice is exactly saying.  I’m also noticing that it sounds rather acappella moreso than the last track.  I’m pretty sure it isn’t though because there’s a little bit of a melody going on, but it’s rather sparse…odd way to end off the first disc.

Tracks Recommended

• Bluffing Spirit (Refreshed by GUIRO)
• SHADOW AND LIGHT
• Katamari on the Wings
• Green Village
• Campus DAYDREAMER

The first disc is the more laidback and regular sounding tracks and I can tell that what they planned for this disc was oddly nice and yet a little tame.  Still, it’s pretty enjoyable since some tracks did get worked on and I liked it while others shouldn’t have been touched.

Katamari wa Damacy November 13, 2008

Track Listing

1. Introduction
2. Katamari on the Rocks
3. Overture II
4. Katamari on the Swing
5. Kuru Kuru Rock
6. Everlasting Love
7. Bluff Spirit
8. Beautiful Star
9. Angel Rain
10. Houston
11. Blue Orb
12. Katamari Holiday
13. Baby Universe
14. DiscoxPrince
15. Sunbaked Savannah
16. The Royal Academy of Katamari
17. A Song for the King of Kings
18. I Love You (hidden track)

1. Introduction

Hard guitar opens up the OST up and it’s a really short track because c’mon 24 seconds?  Anyways, what is in those 24 secs. is about off-leading as one can think.  I actually thought of the Sonic series because of the chords hit.

2. Katamari on the Rocks

Since we are talking about a strange game, Katamari on the Rocks is pretty much the epitome of what the game is like.  Very random and yet also fun.  Anyways the music is actually acappella with the human voice doing everything in the song.  Down to the beats, lyrics and everything else.  Anyway the lyrics are a little off the wall and the famous tune pops up here and there.  Definitly a long track as well leading over 6 minutes with this going on.

3. Overture II

A nice song to hear, all it is is a bouncy piano solo which reminds me of the holiday Charlie Brown music.  If you know what I mean?  Definitly a nice opening to the game as well.

4. Katamari on the Swing

While “Overture II” might be the opening into the game, this is actually the opening sequence.  Definitly explosive on its entrance and the song gets into a swing style with lyrics as well.  I got to give props to the head guy singing because he just sounds awesome to hear.  The back-ups aren’t bad either.  There’s a long drum solo as well which was also as impressive. 

5. Kuru Kuru Rock

First of the theme songs, this song is pretty hectic.  The vocals seem to be pretty robotic and is covered a bit by the craziness of the music.  The other problem is that it doesn’t really lead anywhere else, so it kind of drags itself along…One of my least favorites from this OST.

6. Everlasting Love

Luckily after that, this song pops up and is my favorite of all the Katamari’s.  The simple guitar riff and free-form rock sounds are great.  Just like “LONELY ROLLING STAR” this features a lady singing named Alisa Durbrow and her voice is pretty good for her being mostly a seiyuu.  I think what made this song work the most was probably the music.  Why?  Well it stays in a safe beat and doesn’t try to force itself to differentiate itself from the other tracks.  The lyrics are so cute too, especially the ones in English.  ~I can sing a song for you and me~ awwwwww ^_^

7. Bluff Spirit

This time a guy sings the song.  I’m not sure why there’s so much flute in the song, but giving it do a beat.  The guy’s voice is somewhat good, but it’s not like uber-fantastic as the flute solos found throughout.  A little too strange for Katamari in my opinion, but it’s a good listen in the game.

8. Beautiful Star

Accordion is featured in this water-logged song.  What I mean is that this song is played in the underwater stage of the game and it’s overall ambience features captures the thought of being underwater right.  It isn’t as memorable as the other underwater track “Houston” but it did it’s job right and probably the nicest of the ambient pieces.

9. Angel Rain

To me, it seemed like a continuation of the last track because it continues to feature the accordion in the same fashion except the song features another female singer.  Her voice does kind of bother me because it sounds unsupported and pretty thin.  I’m sorry but the instrumental parts are so much better to me than listening to her.

10. Houston

Were they thinking of Texas when they names the title?  Anyways, the song still carries the underwater theme IMO opinion and is a much better vocal track.  Even though guys are leading it this time I quite like the serenity of the music and vocals.  Interesting to note, is that the chorus features a guy under major vocoder properties and makes the song a little mysterious as well.  I like it.

11. Blue Orb

Starts off as glitchy little opening which is hilarious.  Anyways as time goes by the song slowly gains another connective sound.  Then this girl comes in with words like she’s a robot or something, still the random blips of sound will probably disturb you, probably better left in the game.

12. Katamari Holiday

Yep, you guessed the damn game has a wintry stage as well, count two actually.  Katamari Holiday feature the least expressive verses ever.  The guys sound so bored and quite dumb hahaha.  I guess they were trying to be funny and let these guys make the holidays seem boooooring.  Oddly, I do find the song charming and quite a nice listen ^_^

13. Baby Universe

Another bouncy piano opening featuring female lyrics.  I actually like this one’s voice as well.  Her voice seems really pretty and nice and her English seems right.  If it was released as a single though, I doubt it wouldn’t get far on the Oricon charts because it can be taken as cheesy or just not packing enough punch like some of the other pop acts out there.  On here it’s pretty good.

14. DiscoxPrince

Definitly an upbeat track the enters next and what a loud song it is.  Being a 7-minute dance track, I was surprised to see this.  The guys singing are funny to listen to because they are either rapping/singing/talking.  I’m enjoying the synths though it’s got such a funky beat and is bery catchy to the ears.  It’s synth-heaven really. 

15. Sunbaked Savannah

Sadly, I don’t remember this song from the game.  The weirdest think of the song is the keyboarded dog sounds playing the main Katamari line.  It’s just so random and then there’s other animals like cows, cats, monkeys, and ducks….like what the hell am I listening to here????  Definitly wins the weirdest track award.

16. The Royal Academy of Katamari

Played even before “Katamari on the Swing” this is played to tell you what happened between the first game and what led into the sequel.  There’s an orchestra playing the track and it made it seem really serious and yet playful at the same time.  I actually enjoyed this sound and made a great opening to the game though why it’s put near the end beats me.

17. A Song for the King of Kings

If I’m correct this is the song that plays through the credits of the game.  As such it continues to feature the orchestra and it’s a lot more loud and march-like in sound.  Made much more of an impact on me than the last track.  Funny that the King of All Cosmos also talks a little bit in this as well before singing through the last half of the track.  His voice is hilarious to me. 

18. I Love You

I’m not entirely sure why, but the hidden track was so useless.  It was a short conversation between this robotic male voice and a robotic female voice.  It was nothing really special and has no reason to be on there.

Tracks Recommended

•  Everlasting Love
• Katamari on the Swing
• Houston
• Katamari Holiday
• Beautiful Star

Best of the Katamari series for sure.  All of the tracks seem to focus on one style of their own and it worked maybe except for a few tracks.  Most notably was how many people were singing this time arouns but it worked.  Also, there’s other songs that are in the game that isn’t on here which disappoints me “Tron the Grasslands” being the biggest offender.  Luckily this track and the other are in the “Katamari Original Soundtrack Damacy”  which is such a nice idea. 

Katamari Fortissimo Damacy September 18, 2008

Track Listing

1. Nananan Katamari
2. Katamari on the Rocks ~ Main Theme
3. Overture
4. The Moon and the Prince
5. Fugue ♯7777
6. LONELY ROLLING STAR
7. The Wonderful Star’s Walk is Wonderful
8. Katamari Mambo ~ Katamari Syndrome mix
9. You Are Smart
10. A Crimson Rose and a Gin Tonic
11. WANDA WANDA
12. Que Sera Sera
13. Angel-Flavored Present
14. Katamaritaino
15. Katamari★Stars
16. Cherry Blossom Color Season
17. Lovely Angel
18. Stardust Fanfare
19. Last Samba
20. Katamari of Love ~ Ending Theme
21. Katamari March Damacy (bonus secret track)

1. Nananan Katamari

Talk about strange.  It’s the startup track and is very repetitive, I mean yea there’s some synth and percussion added, but there’s nothing too spectacular about the track as it is ~Na~ all over.

2. Katamari on the Rocks ~ Main Theme

They took the melody from “Sasasan Katamari” and actually made it more exciting.  There’s so much happening in this song it’s quite surprising.  Not only it’s a full-fledged track with complete vocals it includes brass and crazy percussion.  English could be worked on but I’m overly happy with this song.

3. Overture

A pretty jolly rendition piano solo of the “Sasasan Katamari” melody.  I kind of thought it was too short.  Other than that this was a nice track to listen before we enter the stage’s tracks.

4. The Moon and the Prince

Is the guy speaking through this song?  It’s kind of boring and kinda messes the bouncing factor of the song.  What’s even worse is that the songs melody doesn’t stray off and go in a different direction until almost 2 minutes.  I just was annoyed by this guy’s half-ass singing/speaking. 

5. Fugue ♯7777

Ominous organ and then this whole weird synth sound.  Kind of makes it sound medieval and weird at the same time.  It’s vocoder perhaps.  The tune is quite cute and catchy with its unusual sound.  This was a track I actually was happy to end early.  I probably wouldn’t have enjoyed it if it was as long as the previous few tracks.

6. LONELY ROLLING STAR

What can I not say about this uber poppy track.  It’s covered in so much cute that it’s also overly catchy.  Saki Kabata has a seiyuu voice, but isn’t as scary as like Momoi Haruko and such.  I love how she’s rhyming words that eventually end up to be ~Katamari~ that was pretty nifty.  All of the synths and elements of the video game are well represented here.

7. The Wonderful Star’s Walk is Wonderful

Better knows as the World map track.  It’s a pretty soothing acoustic track.  One of those WTF moments because of the pure randomness of the game.  Then after a little bit, the music gets more festive and fun which I thought was quite a moment to listen before it calms itself down again.  The thing is that the song was just a great combination of the entire game itself. 

8. Katamari Mambo ~ Katamari Syndrome mix

A hectic little tune this is.  There’s so many weird things happening most especially in the guys’ voice at the beginning.  The singer sounds kinda nice, but kind of is ruined by the guys.  The mambo feeling is intact which I’ll give credit where its due.  Other than that, this was a pretty bad sounding track.

9. You Are Smart

8-bit perhaps?  There’s major vocoding happening here and the song very memorable.  The song is one of those lame tracks because it just goes nowhere at all.  Just the repetition of the title over and over.  I mean there’s bits and pieces where things could get interesting, but it ultimately fails.

10. A Crimson Rose and a Gin Tonic

With a drum opening like that, I was addicted to the lounge sound of this track.  It jumpy and quite a cool track as well.  The lead gal singing sounds like she’s a seiyuu as well…which combine with lounge is not a safe thing to do.  Other than that this track was definitly a standout track

11. WANDA WANDA

Back to the freaky stuff.  WANDA WANDA complies with the whole odd voice/keyboard thing.  I would have said (Did Daft Punk do this?)  It’s definitly a beat-driven track and it seems the voices that say ~Wanda Wanda~ gets drowned out from the music, even though they switch from major to minor chords often. 

12. Que Sera Sera

As we switch back to the bossa-nova stage.  This song was another great track.  Just because this track is full English <3   The guys voice sounds really professional and really gave the song so life.  ~I wanna wad you up into my life~ that’s kind of romantic and made sense from the game’s perspective.  I bet they would play this in some high-class bar.  It’s just that good.

13. Angel-Flavored Present

I’m always turned off by this song.  It just sounds messy at the beginning for the main sound comes in.  Where it’s bits and pieces of the terrible start.  So this was just there and another one of the tracks that really doesn’t make sense.  Especially when the ~ahhhh~ starts.  Then it sounds like “Silence and Motion” from FF8…strange as it is, it’s not my favorite track.

14. Katamaritaino

Latin-flavor pops in this tune.  The acoustic plays some notes before the singer comes in.  It’s got such a calm sound for being latin-based.  OMFG There’s sax featured in this track and has a full solo.  I’m totally taken fully by it.  I was definitly taken by surprise by this song on the album.

15.  Katamari★Stars

Taken from a dreamy perspective.  It actually conveys it pretty well.  Another beautifully written track and played so heavenly by woodwinds and such.  The melody is pretty strong here too.  A very soothing track indeed.

16. Cherry Blossom Color Season

 I really didn’t enjoy this song.  Not only the children sounds extravagantly messy and stuff.  The song sounds like a denied Morning Musume track.  I mean it was just filled with so much wrong here.  I mean there’s people who says this is their favorite track, but I’m like are you pitch-deaf??? This was so bad to hear the kids….FAILURE

17. Lovely Angel

Less than 2 minute is the kinda of odd chant-like sounds.  Maybe Enya could have helped here.  It sounds like a good portion of her music, maybe added with the synth sounds too.  Other than that, nothing real important

18. Stardust Fanfare

What?  18 seconds?  Yea it starts very ominous and fearful then there’s this quick “fanfare”.  Maybe it wasn’t such a good idea to have put it on the album if it was that short to begin with.

19. Last Samba

Bring your crazy whistles!  and a flute???  It once again is a more party-like version of the “Sasasan Katamari” track.  Seriously only being a minute long….so much for having uber fun y’know?

20. Katamari of Love ~ Ending Theme

So the final track heard in the game is a ballad of sorts?  All right whatever floats their katamari.  For being an ending theme it kind of was strange and a little unusual for a rock ballad.  The guys voice kind of rubs me the wrong way if you know what I mean.  So much for that right?

21. Katamari March Damacy

Those funky voices/keyboard thing happens.  It’s a lot more bouncy and happy.  Though I don’t really see why this would be a march.  Maybe I’m just not paying so much attention.  I thought I heard this song somewhere in the game but huh….Not a very good ending track if you ask me.

Tracks Recommended

• LONELY ROLLING STAR
• Que Sera Sera
• Katamaritaino
• The Wonderful Star’s Walk is Wonderful
• Katamari★Stars

This series is so well-known by its outlandish music genres and crazy composition.  To be honest I love its quirkyness and fun.  Its definitly a series that takes the cake for different sounds and I totally praise it!